Recruiting story from Bustle era

[CajunT]

_ I have a nephew being recruited out of high school on the Northshore of Lake Ponchartrain. He has offers from Tulane, Ark St., and LaTech. Southern Miss and Tulsa are also sniffing around. This past summer he came to UL for camp. He was very interested in the Cajuns at the time. His dad drove him in for the camp. At the very beginning of the camp, staff called O-linemen together and told them they were only interested in tackles. The centers and guards were shuffled off to the side with a grad ass't or other low-ranking coach while the tackles went with the O-line coach. My nephew wasn't nearly as upset as his dad, who feels their time was deliberately wasted. My nephew's o-line coach and head coach were furious when they heard about it. Now, you make think this isn't a big deal, but I can guarantee you every coach in that district has heard about this. Whoever the new coach is, it is imperative that he establish good relationships with Louisiana high school coaches. _

The coaching staff was being honest, why waste time and BS kids about how much you want them? I've seen both sides of this and sometimes coaches shoot themselves in the foot coming out and telling kids that they a few inches too short or not fast enough to play a certain position. On the other hand, parents love to hear BS from coaches at LSU, Auburn and Texas A&M because they want to believe that little Jimmy is a BCS prospect.

When the Cajuns held their camp, we already had a commitment from one interior lineman from Acadiana High Nick Smith. The Cajuns are loaded with interior linemen:

Andre Huval
Evan Ruiz
Kyle Plouhar
Marvin Matin
Leonardo Bates
Jaron Odom
Daniel Lemelle

While I understand driving in fron Northshore is a inconvenience, no football staff ever tells athletes don't bother to come in to our prospect camp. Not LSU, McNeese St , Tulane or any other staff. I've been attending football camps for a long time and have yet to see it.

[Geaux]

_ Are you serious about these being 5 of the most electrifying players to ever suit up for the Cajuns? How many of these kids have went on to the next level. I think Green has a chance, but as for all but Fenroy, they were just above average for the SunBelt.

How about Delhomme, Stokely, Mitchell, Thomas.

Now the best players that Bustle did coach were not recruited by him. Taylor and Tilman.

I will get bombarded by this post, but in my opinion, Bustle and his staff did not bring the good recruits to their maximum potential. _

Your right, we had a lot of walk-on players have great careers. Good for the program, but it says something about you evaluation of talent and recruiting. For example Bill Sampy, A. Zanders, Derek Keys to name a few. Derrick Smith and poor Mike Desormeaux's talents were not maxed. I hope the next staff can do better.

[Boomer]

_ My nephew is essentially irrelevant to the story. What is important is that every coach on the Northshore heard from his coach that UL has a Mickey Mouse program. _

Which school did he choose????

[ET]

_ My nephew is essentially irrelevant to the story. What is important is that every coach on the Northshore heard from his coach that UL has a Mickey Mouse program. _

So UL is a Mickey Mouse program because they didn't want or look hard enough at your nephew? I truly doubt that things were said the exact way you have stated. At the same time there are a limited number of scholarships - so they will use what they have to get what they need. Remember that recruiting is more art than science - look at Notre Dame.

[SlappyCajun]

_ Your right, we had a lot of walk-on players have great careers. Good for the program, but it says something about you evaluation of talent and recruiting. For example Bill Sampy, A. Zanders, Derek Keys to name a few. Derrick Smith and poor Mike Desormeaux's talents were not maxed. I hope the next staff can do better. _

How were Mike Desormeaux's talents not maximized. They had one of the best rushing attacks in the country when he was here.

[Just1More]

_ Are you serious about these being 5 of the most electrifying players to ever suit up for the Cajuns? How many of these kids have went on to the next level. I think Green has a chance, but as for all but Fenroy, they were just above average for the SunBelt.

How about Delhomme, Stokely, Mitchell, Thomas.

Now the best players that Bustle did coach were not recruited by him. Taylor and Tilman.

I will get bombarded by this post, but in my opinion, Bustle and his staff did not bring the good recruits to their maximum potential. _

I don't think Cajun4Life was correct saying those 5 were "the most" electrifying players in Cajun history... but you are making a few mistakes too. First, just because Fenroy did not make it to the next level, nor MD, does not discount them from being two of the most exciting players in Cajun history. I also credit Jason Chery with the most electrifying half of a Cajun... ever. 330 plus yards and 5 TDs... in one half of play. LD hasn't shown how elecrifying he can be... but that is not his fault.

Second... Brandon Stokely was not recruited. He made it clear before recruiting could happen that he was playing for his dad. Delhomme was also dismissed by everyone but UL as a local 1A product. It wasn't much of a tough recruiting mission. I consider both Brandon and Jake to be two of our best players in Cajun history. I'm not sure I would give them "electrifying" status. Orlando was definitely "electrifying".... and that is not easy for a defensive player. His interceptions and superman tackles have no equal.

Brian Mitchell stands out above all the rest as the greatest recruit ever in my opinion. He was recruited by "BCS schools" and we snagged him by promising him he would start immediately... at QB. Brian was "Mr. Electricity". He turned the lights on at Cajun Field.

[CajunRed]

My nephew is essentially irrelevant to the story. What is important is that every coach on the Northshore heard from his coach that UL has a Mickey Mouse program.

Where did your nephew sign? That is a relevant question.



igeaux.mobi

[JBO70538]

How were Mike Desormeaux's talents not maximized. They had one of the best rushing attacks in the country when he was here.

igeaux.mobi ....exactly, that was all we could do on offense. We did not use Mike his Sohp. year. Everyone knew the talent he had. Also, Mike's passing never improved, that's all coaching.

[Crawfish]

I get it now, the coaches should have lied and said they could sign all of the players that showed up.

We are interviewing new coaching candidates this week, it is time to move on and stop bashing the former staff.

[Turbine]

. Also, Mike's passing never improved, that's all coaching. _

Mike could throw the long ball in highschool, Bustle didn't like his arch on the ball.